The ABS established an ICT reference group in early 2004 involving government, industry, academic and community representatives. The aim of the reference group is to improve the usefulness of ICT statistics collected by the ABS from a variety of sources. The reference group provides a high level forum for understanding, improving and developing ICT statistics, providing members with the opportunity to discuss and consider strategies to address ICT statistical issues.

The most recent meeting of the reference group was held on 5 October 2006. The issues discussed included:

The publication presents results compiled from HUIT data collected from two different surveys conducted by the ABS, the Multipurpose Household Survey (MPHS) for 2005-06 and the 2006 Children's Participation in Cultural and Leisure Activities (CPCLA) Survey. The MPHS covers a proportion of the households in the ABS monthly Labour Force Survey (LFS). The MPHS is conducted on an annual basis and will serve as the collection vehicle for the Household use of IT data for 2006-07 and 2007-08 cycles as well. The survey had a sample size of 14,219 households in 2005-06. CPCLA Survey was conducted in April 2006 as part of the ABS Monthly Population Survey, and collected information about the activities of 8,682 children aged 5 to 14 years living in selected households across Australia.

A Confidentialised Unit Record File (CURF) for HUIT data collected in MPHS 2005-06 is expected to be released on 14 February 2007. The CURF will enable cross classification of HUIT data with relevant data collected in other MPHS 2005-06 modules which included sports attendance, attendance at selected culture and leisure venues and events, participation in sports and physical activity and work related injuries.

The next issue of the publication for the 2006-07 reference period, is expected to be released in December 2007.

For further information about HUIT statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070 or Siddhartha De, Innovation and Technology NSC on 02 6252 6519.

The ABS publication Use of Information Technology on Farms, Australia, 2004-05(ABS cat. no. 8150.0) was released on 28 August 2006. This publication presents statistics on the use of computers and the Internet on farms in Australia. The data were obtained from questions included in the 2004-05 Agricultural Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Information obtained was in respect of the year ended 30 June 2005.

Of the 129,934 farms in Australia in 2004-05, with an estimated value of agricultural operations (EVAO) of $5,000 or more:

56% used a computer as part of their business operations, an increase of 1 percentage point since 2003-04; and

53% used the Internet as part of their business operations, an increase of 6 percentage points since 2003-04.

At the regional level (Statistical Division), the proportion of farms using a computer as part of their business operations varied from 77% in the South Eastern region of Western Australia to 39% in the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales. The same areas recorded the highest and lowest proportions of farms using the Internet. The proportions ranged from 79% in the South Eastern region of Western Australia to 38% in the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales.

For the first time in 2004-05 a question on the main type of Internet connection used was asked on the Agricultural Survey. Of those farms using the Internet, the majority of them identified they have a dial-up connection (43,020 farms). 12,287 farms identified they have a broadband connection and 8,565 farms identified they have an ISDN connection to the Internet.

The frequency of this collection is currently under review and may be available on a less frequent basis. For further information about statistics related to farms use of ICT, contact Tim Landrigan, Innovation and Technology Business Statistics Centre, Australian Bureau of Statistics, GPO Box K881, Perth WA 6842, or phone (08) 9360 5104.

The Internet Activity Survey has undergone a review to address ongoing concerns with the quality and relevance of the data, and the availability of reliable data from alternative sources. The review considered ongoing requirements for the current range of data, new and emerging data needs related to Internet Activity, methodology, scope and data collection mechanisms. It also addressed duplication in reporting requirements of the ACCC, ACMA and the ABS. The outcome of the review is that the Internet Activity Survey recommenced in September 2006; data from this collection will be published on 16 February 2007 on the ABS website.

A small survey of those ISPs with more than 10,000 subscribers was conducted in June 2006. This survey was an interim measure to provide a snapshot of the Internet industry until the full collection recommenced in September. Data from the June survey are available on the ABS website: Internet Activity, Australia, June 2006 (ABS cat. no. 8153.0).

If you wish to know more about the Internet Activity Survey, please contact Tim Landrigan, Innovation and Technology Business Statistics Centre, Australian Bureau of Statistics, GPO Box K881, Perth WA 6842, or phone (08) 9360 5104.

This publication represents the first official satellite account on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for Australia. It measures the direct contribution of ICT to the Australian economy in 2002-03--in particular, the contribution of ICT to key macro-economic variables such as gross domestic product (GDP).

Publication tables also include details of Australian production of various ICT products, as well as related imports, exports, household consumption, business spending and investment expenditure. Together, these data form an integrated set of statistics on ICT products within the internationally recognised international System of National Accounts 1993 (SNA93).

The publication contains a complete description of data sources and concepts used (frameworks, classifications etc.), as well as a discussion of key methodological issues encountered.

For further information about ICT Satellite account statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070 or Peter Comisari on 02 6252 5381.

As at 30 June 2005 there were 274,132 persons employed by all businesses within the ICT sector, of which 89.1% (244,238) were employed by ICT specialist businesses.

ICT income ($92,119 million) represented 89.1% of the Total income ($103,350 million) reported by all businesses within the ICT sector.

Total Operating profit before tax (OPBT) for all businesses within the ICT sector was $9,381 million. ICT specialist businesses accounted for $8,749 million or 93.2% of this total.

If you wish to know more about information relating to the publication, please contact John Jones, Innovation and Technology Business Statistics Centre, Australian Bureau of Statistics, GPO Box K881, Perth WA 6842, or phone (08) 9360 5296.